Coming soon: Kalashnikovs made in AmethiSources said an inter-governmental agreement to manufacture the 7.62x39 mm caliber AK-203 guns, which are a derivative of the famous AK-47 rifle, is likely to be inked on February 15.

India to buy 2 more AWACS worth Rs 5.7k crore from Israel India is finally close to approving the over $800 million (around Rs 5,700 crore) deal for two more “Phalcon” airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft from Israel, which comes soon after it inked a Rs 4,577 crore contract for air defence radars with the Jewish state.

Why military brass loved the man in a crumpled kurtaFernandes’ decision in 1998 to send three MoD bureaucrats on a temporary punishment posting to Siachen for delaying procurement of snow scooters deployed on world’s highest & coldest battlefield is still talked about in the corridors of South Block.

Eye on China, government finalises Rs 5,000-crore defence plan for AndamansSources say the 10-year infrastructure “roll-on” plan for the Andaman and Nicobar Command has been formulated after prolonged top-level discussions in the defence establishment. Parallelly, a comprehensive plan for “force accretion” of the armed forces in phases at the ANC by 2027 is also in the works.

Delhi: War memorial ready, 60 years after it was first proposedThe National War Memorial (NWM) is now finally ready, around 60 years after it was first proposed by the armed forces and remained stuck in general politico-bureaucratic apathy, to honour the over 22,600 soldiers who have laid down their lives in wars and operations since Independence.

Sniping like beheading, will avenge killings by Pakistan, say Army officialsThe Indian Army will “more than avenge” the killing of two of its junior commissioned officers (JCOs) in sniping action by Pak troops in Jumgund area of Kupwara district of north Kashmir last Friday. “It will be at a time and place of our choosing, like we have retaliated to such sniping operations in the past,” said an officer.

India seeks to buy US helicopters worth Rs 13,500 croreThe NDA government on Thursday issued the “letter of request” to the US government for the Rs 13,500 crore acquisition of 24 naval multi-role MH-60 ‘Romeo’ helicopters, armed with torpedoes and missiles for potent anti-submarine warfare capabilities, said top sources.

US may grant India waiver for S-400 Triumf deal: ExpertsThe US is likely to eventually grant a waiver to India for its mega $5.43 billion acquisition of five Russian S-400 Triumf air defence missile squadrons after some turbulence in bilateral ties, as per the assessment of several government officials, defence analysts and foreign policy wonks here.

India, France plan to hold tri-service military gamesThis came up during defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s visit to France on October 11-12 for the first annual defence dialogue with her French counterpart Florence Parly, who also handed over a letter from President Emmanuel Macron for PM Narendra Modi to reaffirm the expanding bilateral strategic partnership, said sources on Monday.

Army sets in motion its mega reform plan, to implement it with sense of urgencyThe Army plans to launch the major transformative exercise by early next year after fine-tuning the four studies, headed by senior lieutenant generals, on force reorganisation and optimisation, flattening headquarters at different levels, cadre review and terms of engagement for officers and jawans, as was first reported by TOI in August.

Ahead of Putin's visit, India ignores US threat on TriumfIndia is finally all set to ink the $5.43 billion (over Rs 39,000 crore) deal for five advanced S-400 Triumf missile systems from Russia, brushing aside the threat of US financial sanctions that were last week imposed on China for buying the same air defence system.

Government may clear purchase of two more AWACS for around $800 millionDefence ministry sources on Monday said a fresh procurement case for the two airborne warning and control systems (AWACS), with Israeli Phalcon early-warning radar systems mounted on Russian Ilyushin-76 heavy-lift aircraft, is now with the cabinet committee on security for the final nod.

India and China chart route to avoid future 'Doklams'India and China have decided to work towards reducing troop confrontations along their unresolved border, with better implementation of confidence-building measures, additional border personnel meeting (BPM) points, greater interaction between local commanders on the ground and “early operationalization” of the top-level hotline between their militaries.

Indian Army gears up to turn lean, mean, and fastResults of four ongoing studies on force reorganisation and optimisation, flattening headquarters at different levels, cadre review and terms of engagement for officers and jawans will be discussed at the Army commanders' conference in October.

US report on China’s designs cites DoklamThe Pentagon, in its latest report presented to the US Congress, said China does not want to jeopardise regional stability, on which its economic development hinges, by provoking fullfledged armed conflicts with its neighbours.

A year after Doklam, China continues to bait India on the borderSecurity establishment sources on Monday said the PLA subsequently removed three of their tents in the Cherdong-Nerlong Nallan area after brigadier-level talks between the two armies, but the remaining two tents with "some Chinese troops in civvies" are still present in the area.

National War Memorial to miss August 15 deadlineThe much-awaited National War Memorial (NWM), which will honour over 22,600 soldiers who have laid down their lives in wars and operations since independence, will miss its deadline for inauguration by PM Narendra Modi on August 15.

IAF ‘harvesting organs’ of globally retired jetsConfronted with a fast-depleting number of fighter squadrons, and long delays in new inductions, the IAF is scrambling around the globe to acquire old jets retired and mothballed by other countries to bolster its existing combat fleet.

Elite special forces of Army, IAF, Navy get major weapons upgradeDefence ministry sources have said several contracts worth "hundreds of crores" have been inked in recent months to equip the elite special forces of Army, IAF and Navy with more highly-specialised weaponry and equipment from countries like Finland, Sweden, Italy, Russia, Israel and Germany.

Army chief declares war on graft, waste and sycophancy From preventing misuse of CSD liquor and curbing ostentatious functions and sycophancy to removing orderlies deployed for retired senior officers and awarding exemplary punishment for moral turpitude, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has issued a series of directives for strict implementation to his over-12-lakh-strong force.